ANGELICA HATCHELL
Angelica was only 15 years old when she was called home. Our hearts break everyday.
She was born in Philadelphia, Pa on January 15, 1987. She weighed 5 pounds and was 17 inches long. The biggest part of her was those brown eyes. I looked into them 15 years ago and planned her future. I never imagined that 15 years later, I would plan her funeral.
We moved home to Lancaster, SC in 1987 and lived with my parents and sister for the next 8 years. Angelica was the light in her grandparents eyes. My daddy worshiped her. My sister helped raise her and they became best friends. My mama spoiled her rotten. My grandparents touched her heart and soul.
We started a new life journey in 1987. I married my high school sweetheart and we moved into a new house. She instantly had two step brothers. Joshua, he and Angelica, are the same age. Brett (Little Man) was only 3 years old, at this time. He was a light in Angelica's eyes. She took care of him just like a little mama. Brett called her SISSY from day one.
It was during this change in our lives that she met her BEST FRIEND, Alisha Estridge. They walked the asphalt off the road going to each other's house. They started 4 nth grade at McDonald Green Elementary, then the Grade thru the THC Grade at South Middle School. They began their last journey together in the and 1st grades at Lancaster High School. I could not have hand picked a better friend for my daughter. I was honored to raise two beautiful daughters, because they were as close as sisters. They introduced each other to their boyfriends and then all four were inseparable.
Angelica met Matthew Hardin at Lancaster High School at the age of 15. She could not date until she was 16, but Matthew was allowed to come for supper and watch movies with her and Alisha and Alisha's boyfriend, Matt. I enjoyed the sounds of laughter in my home.
I knew Matthew's family for 28 years. I was friends with his mama and Aunt. Matthew was so infatuated with Angelica. He used to tell her , "I could be satisfied just looking into your eyes, everyday".
Angelica never got her drivers license. I took her to take the test 2 months before her death, but she failed the test. I knew she would. She never studied the book, because she thought she knew every rule of driving. I was right, of course. Before we left she had her Id made and took the driving book home with her to begin studying. She never got a chance to take the test again. I bought her a 2002 Chevy Tracker in February. I knew she would be driving at some point. Since she couldn't drive, I would pick up Alisha 2 mornings per week, bring her to our house, and then she would drive her and Angelica to the high school. I kept money in the ashtray for them to get something to eat after school. I still have the car and Always will.
On September 8, 2002 we went to the mall. Tommy had went fishing and me , Angelica,and Matthew went shopping. She wanted a new pair of shoes. Shoes were her thing. We walked the mall for hours, before she finally made her decision. I then took them to the Red Lobster for lunch. She had a great day.
On September 9, 2002 my world fell apart. There was no school that day, and we just hung around the house. After Tommy got home from work, me and him went to pick up supper. Mathew was coming and bringing a movie for us to watch. When we returned home with supper our neighbor came over looking for Matthew. Her son's car, Justin, had broken down. She asked Matthew if he would go pick up Justin and bring him home. Matthew ran up the stairs and asked me if Angelica could ride with him. I said "Yes", but be careful and go there and back only. I called out Angelica's name, but at the same moment we heard the door close. Her step-daddy said, "She skimmed by that one." Maybe she did ignore me, since she probably thought I would change my mind. That was the only time she had been in a car with anyone else, except family or Alisha. I began to worry, quickly. It was getting a little late and I had beeped her 27 times. Then it happened. My phone rang. I knew in my heart she was gone from me.
I received the call at 11:17 pm. I was told she had been in a minor accident. Me and Tommy went straight to the hospital. I was then informed that she was gone, and had been killed instantly. All I wanted at that time was to be taken to her. They did this for me immediately. I tried giving her mouth to mouth and I even begged others to " Just give her one breath and she'll come back." My daughter was now an Angel."
I placed those awful calls that night to family and friends. Everyone came to the hospital to be with her. I had never seen anyone look more beautiful. She looked exactly the same as when she left the house that nigh. Her hair clips were still in the same place she put them, her necklace was still around her neck, her earrings were still in her ears, and her belly ring was still in her belly. There was no visible injuries anywhere. NONE. She was wearing a white shirt and it didn't even have a speck of dirt on it. She made death beautiful.
The accident shattered my life. I know the details, but I will never understand why God needed her home at that time. Matthew was driving and waiting to cross the intersection. A car, which had no lights on, hit them on the passenger side over the tire. This was also the side Angelica was on. It turned them, in the car, 180 degrees and the car stopped in the middle of the highway. The boys got out and Angelica had her head and one foot out, but a pick up truck hit the driver's side by the front wheel. A pickup truck did not see them and hit Matthew's car on the driver's side over the front tire. This caused the door to swing into Angelica. the door frame hit her head and snatched it backwards quickly. She was then thrown 15 feet and landed like she was sleeping. I still say that he great-grandmothers put a pillow under her head.
Angelica truly showed me that she earned her Angel Wings on January 15, 2004. This would have been her 17th Birthday. I was sitting at an intersection, after a wreck had occurred. I waited to leave till the ambulance left. At that moment I received a call from Tommy. He asked me where I was, and I explained everything to him. He then told me, "Tammy, it's Alisha." I could not believe that Angelica's best friend may be dead. She was flown to the hospital, after she was reasserted and placed on a breathing machine. When she finally started coming out of that state she said, "Tell Angelica that I didn't get hurt when she pushed me off that beautiful white horse. I am so proud of my daughter for being there with Alisha and showing her that it wasn't her time. They now share the same birthday.
TAMMY WRIGHT
